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The Round Tower
Book by Catherine Cookson
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
44 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Cookson
508 books688 followersCatherine Cookson was born in Tyne Dock, the illegitimate daughter of a poverty-stricken woman, Kate, who Catherine believed was her older sister. Catherine began work in service but eventually moved south to Hastings, where she met and married Tom Cookson, a local grammar-school master.
Although she was originally acclaimed as a regional writer - her novel The Round Tower won the Winifred Holtby Award for the best regional novel of 1968 - her readership quickly spread throughout the world, and her many best-selling novels established her as one of the most popular contemporary woman novelist. She received an OBE in 1985, was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1993, and was appointed an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, in 1997.
For many years she lived near Newcastle upon Tyne.
Although she was originally acclaimed as a regional writer - her novel The Round Tower won the Winifred Holtby Award for the best regional novel of 1968 - her readership quickly spread throughout the world, and her many best-selling novels established her as one of the most popular contemporary woman novelist. She received an OBE in 1985, was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1993, and was appointed an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, in 1997.
For many years she lived near Newcastle upon Tyne.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 19, 2010
I'm sure many of you avid readers take your books to that dreaded place called "work" in hopes that you might read a few pages on your breaks and lunch and those of you that do this will occasionally have a book that makes you declare, "Screw the boss! I gotta read just a few more pages!" This was one of those for me.
This is an old novel (my copy was published in 1968) full of family scandal and rags to riches.. or riches to rags. The scandalous issues begin with upstarts, bitter neighbors, infidelity, and underage sex and end with unhappy marriages, in laws from hell, unwed mothers, and suicide. Vanessa is sixteen, well to do, and very sexually curious and well, it is the sixties. Needless to say, some bloke is more than willing to help Vanessa satisfy her curiosity and before you know it, she is "with bairn." Her upstart parents cannot force her to divulge who the father is and choose to lay the blame at Angus Cotton's feet, the son of their maid. Angus's mother and sister attempt to talk him out of being a good samitarian but much to their dismay, he marries the pampered Vanessa.
Well, Vanessa's dad is furious. His daughter in pregnant and married to a "common" man. Angus's mom is furious. She is worked off her feet and now she has to take care of Vanessa too. Angus's sister is furious for reasons of her own. Everybody is furious! It's only a matter of time before the you know what hits the fan!
I don't see myself ever reading this again, but I am still giving it five stars because depsite the fact I didn't like a single character, I couldn't put it down! I was dying to find out what happened next. Will Vanessa name the baby's daddy? Will her and Angus get along? How far will Vanessa's dad go to exact revenge on all the parties involved?
A fun, entertaining page turner. A must for lovers of the occasional scandalous read.
This is an old novel (my copy was published in 1968) full of family scandal and rags to riches.. or riches to rags. The scandalous issues begin with upstarts, bitter neighbors, infidelity, and underage sex and end with unhappy marriages, in laws from hell, unwed mothers, and suicide. Vanessa is sixteen, well to do, and very sexually curious and well, it is the sixties. Needless to say, some bloke is more than willing to help Vanessa satisfy her curiosity and before you know it, she is "with bairn." Her upstart parents cannot force her to divulge who the father is and choose to lay the blame at Angus Cotton's feet, the son of their maid. Angus's mother and sister attempt to talk him out of being a good samitarian but much to their dismay, he marries the pampered Vanessa.
Well, Vanessa's dad is furious. His daughter in pregnant and married to a "common" man. Angus's mom is furious. She is worked off her feet and now she has to take care of Vanessa too. Angus's sister is furious for reasons of her own. Everybody is furious! It's only a matter of time before the you know what hits the fan!
I don't see myself ever reading this again, but I am still giving it five stars because depsite the fact I didn't like a single character, I couldn't put it down! I was dying to find out what happened next. Will Vanessa name the baby's daddy? Will her and Angus get along? How far will Vanessa's dad go to exact revenge on all the parties involved?
A fun, entertaining page turner. A must for lovers of the occasional scandalous read.
November 23, 2015
Description: Vanessa Ratcliffe was just sixteen - and even though she had a convent education she had a provocative manner that drew envious eyes in her direction. She lived in one of the big houses on Brampton Hill, for the Ratcliffes, a powerful and avaricious family, were considered 'big' folk in the town.
Angus Cotton was a rough diamond who lived in Ryder's Row, down among the goods yards and dirty streets. But as an engineer at Affleck and Tate he was worth his weight in gold; and the manager, Vanessa's father, knew it but hated to admit it. Angus had ambitious plans for his future, and although these plans had never included Vanessa, events were to draw them together...
I love this change of era - The Round Tower is set in the late 50s/early 60s amongst working mens' clubs and early rock 'n' roll and pretty much a contemporary story for Cookson: publication date 1968*. The government is squeezing the railways so the talk is of setting up a Haulage Firm.
* The Abortion Act was passed in 1967 and was obviously of interest to Catherine Cookson, a pioneer of women's issues. Another indicator of the year: Max Bygraves 'Tulips From Amsterdam' 78 rpm was #3 in 1958,
I now have an urge to watch Jean Anderson in The Brothers if a higher quality version could be found!
3* The Dwelling Place
3.5* The Glass Virgin
3* The Fifteen Streets
3' The Girl
5* The Rag Nymph
3* Katie Mulholland
3* The Cinder Path
4* Feathers in the Fire
3* Colour Blind
3* The Silent Lady
3* The Branded Man
3* Pure as the Lily
4* The Maltese Angel
3* The Fen Tiger
4* The Wingless Bird
3.5* The Black Candle
4* The Black Velvet Gown
5 The Round Tower
5* Tilly Trotter
5* Tilly Trotter Wed
5* Tilly Trotter Widowed
5* Tilly Trotter Alone
3* The Mallen Streak
2* The Mallen Girl (to revisit)
3* The Mallen Litter
4.5* The Mallen Secret by Rosie Goodwin, which leads straight into ...
4* The Mallen Curse
Angus Cotton was a rough diamond who lived in Ryder's Row, down among the goods yards and dirty streets. But as an engineer at Affleck and Tate he was worth his weight in gold; and the manager, Vanessa's father, knew it but hated to admit it. Angus had ambitious plans for his future, and although these plans had never included Vanessa, events were to draw them together...
I love this change of era - The Round Tower is set in the late 50s/early 60s amongst working mens' clubs and early rock 'n' roll and pretty much a contemporary story for Cookson: publication date 1968*. The government is squeezing the railways so the talk is of setting up a Haulage Firm.
* The Abortion Act was passed in 1967 and was obviously of interest to Catherine Cookson, a pioneer of women's issues. Another indicator of the year: Max Bygraves 'Tulips From Amsterdam' 78 rpm was #3 in 1958,
I now have an urge to watch Jean Anderson in The Brothers if a higher quality version could be found!
3* The Dwelling Place
3.5* The Glass Virgin
3* The Fifteen Streets
3' The Girl
5* The Rag Nymph
3* Katie Mulholland
3* The Cinder Path
4* Feathers in the Fire
3* Colour Blind
3* The Silent Lady
3* The Branded Man
3* Pure as the Lily
4* The Maltese Angel
3* The Fen Tiger
4* The Wingless Bird
3.5* The Black Candle
4* The Black Velvet Gown
5 The Round Tower
5* Tilly Trotter
5* Tilly Trotter Wed
5* Tilly Trotter Widowed
5* Tilly Trotter Alone
3* The Mallen Streak
2* The Mallen Girl (to revisit)
3* The Mallen Litter
4.5* The Mallen Secret by Rosie Goodwin, which leads straight into ...
4* The Mallen Curse
July 12, 2014
Plot:
Set in mid-1950's England, this story tells of the wealthy, socially upwardly-progressive Ratcliffe family. Their youngest daughter, seventeen year old Vanessa, feels alienated from her selfish parents, who are more interested in their eldest daughter's upcoming marriage into one of their town's old families. An old friend of the family, who is himself trapped in a loveless marriage, makes love to Vanessa one night, and she becomes pregnant, but won't reveal who the father is. Her parents are sure it is an employee of the Ratcliffe's, Angus Cotton, who hotly denies this and quits his job to go and start his own business. ...
A movie was made based on this book and it is available at YouTube.
Set in mid-1950's England, this story tells of the wealthy, socially upwardly-progressive Ratcliffe family. Their youngest daughter, seventeen year old Vanessa, feels alienated from her selfish parents, who are more interested in their eldest daughter's upcoming marriage into one of their town's old families. An old friend of the family, who is himself trapped in a loveless marriage, makes love to Vanessa one night, and she becomes pregnant, but won't reveal who the father is. Her parents are sure it is an employee of the Ratcliffe's, Angus Cotton, who hotly denies this and quits his job to go and start his own business. ...
A movie was made based on this book and it is available at YouTube.
May 15, 2018
Catherine Cookson was one of my mom's favorite authors, and so I decided to read this book in her memory. I've come to realize I never paid attention to the genres she liked: historical romance, family relationships, Danielle Steel, etc. Aside from children's classics like Little Women and A Little Princess, there are probably less than 5 titles we've shared.
The plot was good if the characters were a bit rough, and they're supposed to be. This book was published in the 60s and there's a definite difference between it and more current books.
Bottom line: this book reminded me of mom, and that is comforting.
The plot was good if the characters were a bit rough, and they're supposed to be. This book was published in the 60s and there's a definite difference between it and more current books.
Bottom line: this book reminded me of mom, and that is comforting.
February 11, 2018
I loved everything about this book. Easy to read but very hard to put down. Recommended.
March 17, 2017
I have enjoyed many of Cookson’s books. A common motif in her books is that love tempers hate, anger and despair. But this novel has too much baseness. What there is of love is mostly driven by power, prestige and self-interest. It had an interesting plot and a sustained tension that carried me to its ending but all the acrimony left me unconvinced about the integrity and credibility of the author’s intention for this book.
December 26, 2011
I was interested in reading this because I saw the film version once, and I definitely prefer the film to the book. In some ways the hero's behavior in the book is borderline abusive. I think that in trying to make him a rugged working-class character Cookson went a little overboard. I didn't find him very sympathetic at all.
September 10, 2016
3.5 Stars. I liked it and it was really interesting to read a book published in the late 1960s. This was the first Catherine Cookson book I've read and I can see why she has such devoted fans, she really does create her little world, something I really like in a story. I also enjoyed the character development not just of the main characters, Angus and Vanessa, but also their families.
August 9, 2017
This is another excellent book by Catherine Cookson. I found the characters, as well as the plot line, intriguing, and was sorry to see this book end. Unlike some of Cookson's books, the main protagonist, Vanessa, is not a poor, uneducated, down- on- her- luck character. However, things take a turn for Vanessa, and she is soon thrown out of her family and is living in a seedy, disreputable part of town. The life of Vanessa and how she endures her changes in fortune makes for a dependable Cookson read.
August 21, 2020
Este libro paso a mi top 10 sin darme cuenta.
Es simple, divertido, violento, clasista y mil cosas más, que todas equilibradas correctamente dan lugar a un libro que no podés dejar de leer, y tampoco podés dejar de pensar en el cuando no lo estás leyendo.
Lo único que me choca un poco es las reacciones y los tratos de los hombres para con sus esposas, pero en esa época (y para que mentirnos, hoy en día también) era así.
Es simple, divertido, violento, clasista y mil cosas más, que todas equilibradas correctamente dan lugar a un libro que no podés dejar de leer, y tampoco podés dejar de pensar en el cuando no lo estás leyendo.
Lo único que me choca un poco es las reacciones y los tratos de los hombres para con sus esposas, pero en esa época (y para que mentirnos, hoy en día también) era así.
May 9, 2024
Another great read I now have to find another one as these stories seem to make one realise how fortunate we are in this century as one could easily have been a character in one of Catherine's novels.
January 19, 2020
A fairly predictable but but none-the-less, enjoyable romantic read. No big surprises.
November 7, 2020
A really good read, though I detested Angus!
November 15, 2021
Did not like the main characters. Vanessa is an idiot.
October 27, 2023
not available
July 17, 2024
Another great read from a great author. I can see why she won awards for this book. A story filled with complex characters, difficult situations and simple truths.
August 15, 2024
Actually 1 & 1/2 stars
Too much telling & not enough showing.
Read August 2024
Too much telling & not enough showing.
Read August 2024
November 24, 2024
The age gap was a very serious problem but apart from that I really enjoyed the book.
December 18, 2016
Great read.
With the struggles between the classes- 16 year old Van gets pregnant, the father is Arthur Breat however Angus Cotton is blamed by her parents.
Vans parents want to get rid of this baby however Van runs ways as she is keeping the baby.
Upon her moving to Newcastle Angus finds her living in dire housing. He decides to help her situation by marring Van.
Angus takes Van back to his home where Emily and Rosie also live- The dont take to kindly to her, they make her life hell- she trys to kill her self to which she fails but has a miscarry.
This books has so much more to it and I do not want to give too many this away!
With the struggles between the classes- 16 year old Van gets pregnant, the father is Arthur Breat however Angus Cotton is blamed by her parents.
Vans parents want to get rid of this baby however Van runs ways as she is keeping the baby.
Upon her moving to Newcastle Angus finds her living in dire housing. He decides to help her situation by marring Van.
Angus takes Van back to his home where Emily and Rosie also live- The dont take to kindly to her, they make her life hell- she trys to kill her self to which she fails but has a miscarry.
This books has so much more to it and I do not want to give too many this away!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2016
This is the first grown-up novel I read. My mother gave it to me when I asked her for a good book as a teen and this is the book that got me hooked to reading. Ever few years I sit down and read it again and marvel at Mrs. Cookson's talent at weaving an exceptional plot with nail-biting cliffhangers at the end of every chapter and wish I had such talent!
The language is common english at parts but you get used to it and it lends to the period and characters.
A wonderful charming story with the emerging from humble beginnings to building one's dreams.
The language is common english at parts but you get used to it and it lends to the period and characters.
A wonderful charming story with the emerging from humble beginnings to building one's dreams.
September 19, 2010
It has been years since I'd read any Catherine Cookson books and this was the first time I'd read it in English. Got some , 3, books written by her and decided to give this one a try. I must say I still like them. Back when i was young I devoured her books. What i like about her books that you do not always know up front how it is going to end. it is not always a happy end so yes. Same with this book. It was fun in a way.
October 17, 2013
I decided to read the book after watching the film version as I liked the story and hoped the book would shed more light on each character, but sadly I was disappointed. Credits to the film as they followed the story exactly, even down to the spoken words and location settings! However the book skimmed on some of the characters and scenes, which left the story feeling rushed, especially towards the end, but still it was a nice and enjoyable read.
June 12, 2020
My original copy was the Corgi 1968 publication not this Transworld cover shown here. Another good read from Catherine Cookson telling the story of 16 year old Vanessa who becomes pregnant by a family friend of her parents. She is rejected by her family and is found by her father's ex employee Angus Cotton who marries her and brings her home to his family. It is a story of two people from a different social class who find there own level together.
November 17, 2008
Good book by this great author - it is such a shame she died and we can no longer look forward to any more books.
Back Cover Blurb:
Provocative 16-year-old Vanessa was a member of the powerful and avaricious Ratcliffe family, and Angus Cotton a rough diamond who lived down among the goods yards. Events were to draw the pair together. It's a tale of pwer, love, honour and greed.
Back Cover Blurb:
Provocative 16-year-old Vanessa was a member of the powerful and avaricious Ratcliffe family, and Angus Cotton a rough diamond who lived down among the goods yards. Events were to draw the pair together. It's a tale of pwer, love, honour and greed.
May 18, 2012
I read all of Catherine Cookson's books some years ago and enjoyed them immensley. I recently re-read all of them and find that on a second look I found them all so very predictable, and was rather disappointed. However I'm sure that it is my tastes that have changed not the calibre of her story telling.
June 22, 2010
As in most of Cookson's books she writes with strong female characters overcoming some miserable circumstance or misfortune. I also love the English accents given her characters. If you like books set in old England and well developed characters, you will enjoy books by Catherine Cookson!
May 13, 2012
I love this book. I found it was a nice, fun and easy read. The story was really interesting, at least to me. It was like a ray of sunlight (especially as I had just finished reading Villette when I started this one).
September 9, 2012
A good read, about a sixteen year old girl who becomes pregnant, she lives in a 'big house' house on Brampton Hill, Angus takes pity on Van and married her after she ran away, Angus is a bit of a rough diamond......
July 6, 2014
Social status should never stand in the way. This story proves that social airs and graces are just rubbish. A lovely story of family, respect and love. A fast paced story though not gripping will keep you wanting to find out how it all ends.
December 5, 2007
A nice easy read, didn't set the world on fire but very enjoyable
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews